KUALA LUMPUR: More live debates should be included in the run-up to the 15th General Election (GE15) to ensure ideas can be explained directly to the rakyat, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

       The Opposition leader welcomed more similar debates like the one he had with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Thursday (May 12) night, in the future.

       "The situation of such debates is big, and this could be a beginning for the campaign of the next general election.

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       "And during the campaign, we should have something like this.

       "In the future, we want such programmes to be held," he told reporters briefly after the debate late Thursday night.

       About 400 people including political leaders, parliamentarians, corporate figures, economic experts, academicians, university students and supporters of both leaders attended the debate at Auditorium Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC).

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       The two personalities debated on two topics - whether the government should assist ailing oil and gas company Sapura Energy Bhd and the issue of Malaysia's future in terms of its economy, politics and direction.